Sound-producing mechanism



May 5, 19 25.

F. B. LITTLE SOUND PRODUCING MECHANISM Filed April 2, 1920 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 F. B. LITTLE SOUND PRODUCING. MECHANISM May 5, 1925.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 2, 1920 Patented May 5, 1925.

UNITED STATES 1,536,113 PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK B. LITTLE, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO J. C. DEAGAN, I-NC., OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

SOUND-PBODUCIN G MECHANISM.

Application filed April 2, 1920. Serial No. 370,884.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FREDERICK B. LITTLE, citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State I of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Sound-Producing Mechanism, ofwhich the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

My invention relates to soundproducing devices and has a number of objects and ad vantages in view, the invention being of particular service when employed in mechanism for suspending and operating tubular chimes.

The invention has for its general object the provision of an improved construction of hanger and also an adjustment there-for, this hanger serving to position a tubular chime in proper relation to the hammer that is to vibrate the chime. In carrying out this part of my invention in the preferred way a hanger comprises one or two plates each having a hook forming notch and a laterally extending ear, the tubular chime or other load being provided with a flexible hail of string or other suitable material receivable in the hook forming notches in which the bail is retained by the laterally extending ears. These plates which form the hangers are desirably pivotally mounted upon the plates that, are received within notches provided in the upper sides of sup ports for these plates.

The invention has for another of its objects the provision of an improved sound dampener having several novel aspects. The sound dampener is preferably made engageable with the top-of the corresponding tubular chime or other vibrant element, being adjustable in position to follow the-positions of the vibrant element if the latter is adjustable. In carrying'out this aspect of the invention the sound dampener is desirably both swingingly and slidably mounted. Suitable mechanism is employed for withdrawing the sound dampener when the vibrant element is to be struck, a spring being employed for applying the dampener when the vibrations of the vibrant element are to cease.

The invention has for another of its objects the provision of improved electromagnetic mechanism for operating the hammer and withdrawing the dampener. The same electro-magnet desirably performs both functions, there being one armature for the magnet which serves to operate the hammer and another armature for withdrawing the ferred form of the invention; Fig. 2 is asectional view on line 22 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughout the different figures.

The vibrant element illustrated is in the form of a tubular chime 1 whose ends are closed. Each vibrant element has a bail 2, preferably made of string. This bail is received within hook forming notches 3 provided in plates 4 which together constitute a hanger. Each of these plates also has a laterally projecting external ear 5, the bail being tucked behind these ears so as to hold it within the recesses 3. The two hanging plates 4 are pivotally mounted upon supporting plates 6 which are provided with noches 7 in their upper sides into which the inwardly projecting T-shaped extensions 8 are received, these extensions being horizontal and having their heads innermost. These extensions permit the hanger plates l to be swung in the planes of these plates along the supports 6 to adjust the position of the vibrant elements 1 with respect to the hammer 9 that is carried upon a shaft 10 piv'oted to turn upon the trunnion screws 11. The hanger plates are secured in the positions to which they are swung by means of the heads of bolts 4: which engage the plates at the recesses 4" through which the shanks of these bolts pass into threaded engagement with the distance preserving rod 7" interposed between the plates 6. A block 12 is clamped upon the shaft 10 by means of a screw 13, the block being angularh adjustable upon the shaft when the screw is loose, the screw serving to secure, when tightened, any selected adjustment of the oscillating betweent he pole pieces 18 that are atthe ends of the horseshoe magnet core which-carries electro-magnetic windings 19 which may be in serial relation or in parallel relation as desired. IVhen the magnet is energized the hammer will be removed from its back stop 15 and applied to the vibrant element 1 whereafter (the magnet still being energized) the hammer will be slightly withdrawn by the spring 14; to occupy a position slightly removed from the vibrant element as. indicated by the view of the hammer -shown' in dot and dash lines in- Fig. 2. The

force of the impact of the hammer upon the vibrant element is adjustably determined by the position to which the armature 12 is angularly adjusted upon the shaft 1.0. IVhenever the magnet is energized it serves to remove the sound dampener from engagement with the vibrant element 1,- the sound dampener. being maintained in its withdrawn position during the time the magnet is energized; To this end the angular rod 21ywhiclrcarrie's the sound dampenersupports an armature 22 withinthe "ange of one of the poles 18, there being a cushion of felt or other suitable material'23 between the armature 22 and the corresponding pole 18 to. LVO1Cl'l10lS8 when said armature'is attracted. When the magnet is energized to apply the hammerfthe rod 21 is lifted by the magnet before the hammer can strike the vibrant element 1, the ensuing vibrations.

being maintained until the magnet is deenergized to permit the sound dampener to be reapplied to the vibrant element. The

. SOHDClZClAHIPCDBI is preferably applied to the vibrantelement by means'of a coiled spring 24. intervening between the stationary abut- 'ment 25 and the collar 26 upon the rod 2]. The range of movement of the armature is adjustably determined by means of a screw 27-which serves to secure the armature upon the rod in any selected-position along the rod. The speed and-force ot'the applica- -tion of the dampener to the Vibrant element are determined by adjusting the tension of the spring 2st by adjusting the collar along the rod 21. Said rod" may be turned upon its upright axis to swing the sound 'dampener to correspond to the change in position of the vibrant'element 1 which is effected by the adjustment of the hangers 4. The position of the sound dampener is further de-. termined by sliding the same along thelo-wer horizontal branch of the rod, the position of the sound dampener on this branch being IVhile I have herein shown and particularly described the preferred embodiment of my invention I do not Wish to be limited to the precise details of construction shownas changes may readily'be made without departing from the spirit of my invention, but having thus described my invention I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent thefollowing.

1. A hanger formed with a hook forming notch and provided with a laterally extend. ing ear ;in combination with a support upon which the hanger is mounted to swing; a load supporting bail received in said notch and positioned byengagement with said ear; and means for holding the hanger in positions'to which it is adjusted.

2. A hanger including two upright plates each having a hook forming notch andeach provided with a laterally extending external ear; 'in combination with a support upon which said plates are mounted to swing; load supporting had received in said notches I to embrace portions of said plates and positioned by engagement with said 'earsrand means for holding the plates in positions to which they are adjusted.

In witness whereof, I-here'unto subscribe my name this fifteenth day of March, A. D.,

V FREDERICK B. LITTLE. 

